Despite the De Valence in Tenby enjoying a busy summer of events, inconsiderate members of the public have been slammed by a local councillor for abusing the venue’s toilets.

Speaking at Tuesday night’s meeting of the town council, Clr. Mrs. Brown told her colleagues that ‘all in all’ it had been a good summer season at the De Valence, which is located on Upper Frog Street.

However, she asked for the decision on the toilet facilities being opened up for public use, to be reversed.

“People seem to think that the De Valence conveniences are public toilets - they are not public toilets, they were open as a courtesy for events, such as Ironman Wales, but the toilets are there for people attending events booked at the venue,” explained Clr. Mrs. Brown.

“The toilets have been regularly abused over the summer, with sand and water left on the floor. One day I witnessed a family with four children coming off the beach to change in the toilets!

“It costs us £600 per month, so over £7,000 a year, to keep these toilets open - with electric, cleaning, toilet products and insurance.

“As they have been open to the general public using them, we are being asked to pay more on the insurance. It’s impossible to monitor them.

“Cafés and businesses send people up to the De Valence to use the toilets, so I want the decision reversed.

“If I was to stand outside the toilets with a charity box in my hand, I wouldn’t get 5p from people wanting to use them!” added Clr. Mrs. Brown.

Clr. Paul Rapi agreed and said that the biggest problem was the cost of ‘wear and tear’.

“There is no supervision of the toilets. It is costing us a lot of money that we can’t afford to throw away!” he remarked.

Clr. Laurence Blackhall said that the matter was occurring due to the success of the De Valence.

“I’d leave it to a matter of the De Valence Trust on whether they want to keep the toilets closed to the public or not,” he commented.